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The Stowaway in First Class: A True Story of an Unforgettable Quest to Come to America
A family’s legacy is forever changed in this true story of ransom notes, stowaways, and mobsters.
Paris, 1929. Gaetano “Guy” DeSantis is an Italian emigrant with a good life: a stable construction job, a comfortable place to live, and a blossoming relationship with a young waitress, Marie. But Guy dreams of making a future in America, alongside his cousin Frank who immigrated a few years earlier.
So when a mysterious stranger shows up at Guy’s door saying that Frank has paid for a boat ride across the Atlantic, how could Guy refuse? But there’s a catch—he must leave immediately, with no bags and no goodbyes.
With a heart of gold—and the suspense of a classic crime novel—this true story memorializes one man’s split-second decision to chart a new course for generations to come, proving that courage and honor do have the power to make a better life.
Paris, 1929. Gaetano “Guy” DeSantis is an Italian emigrant with a good life: a stable construction job, a comfortable place to live, and a blossoming relationship with a young waitress, Marie. But Guy dreams of making a future in America, alongside his cousin Frank who immigrated a few years earlier.
So when a mysterious stranger shows up at Guy’s door saying that Frank has paid for a boat ride across the Atlantic, how could Guy refuse? But there’s a catch—he must leave immediately, with no bags and no goodbyes.
With a heart of gold—and the suspense of a classic crime novel—this true story memorializes one man’s split-second decision to chart a new course for generations to come, proving that courage and honor do have the power to make a better life.
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Published March 5, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
February 15, 2025
The Stowaway begins in Paris, 1929. Gaetano “Guy” DeSantis is an Italian emigrant with a good life: A stable construction job, a comfortable place to live, and a blossoming relationship with a young waitress, Marie. But when a stranger shows up at Guy’s door saying that his cousin, Frank, has paid for a boat ride to the USA, how could Guy refuse?
What a fascinating look into times that were both simpler and more difficult at the same time! I love that Guy's son, who is the author, had the foresight to film his dad so that no part of the story (or family history) would be forgotten. All it took was one split-second decision, and the entire course of Guy's life was changed.
I loved that the author was able to take his dad back to France, allowing Guy to imagine how differently his life might have turned out if he had stayed. Just like that, Guy knew that his life had turned out exactly the way it was supposed to. Like I said ... fascinating.
Thank you, #FlagshipPress, for providing this book for review consideration via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own. The Stowaway has an expected publication date of March 5, 2025.
#AnthonyDeSantis #GirlFriday #TheMob #Memoir
What a fascinating look into times that were both simpler and more difficult at the same time! I love that Guy's son, who is the author, had the foresight to film his dad so that no part of the story (or family history) would be forgotten. All it took was one split-second decision, and the entire course of Guy's life was changed.
I loved that the author was able to take his dad back to France, allowing Guy to imagine how differently his life might have turned out if he had stayed. Just like that, Guy knew that his life had turned out exactly the way it was supposed to. Like I said ... fascinating.
Thank you, #FlagshipPress, for providing this book for review consideration via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own. The Stowaway has an expected publication date of March 5, 2025.
#AnthonyDeSantis #GirlFriday #TheMob #Memoir
March 15, 2025
I read The Stowaway in First Class in one sitting and fully appreciate the historical, fast moving, true story of Anthony DeSantis' father's journey from Southern Italy to Boston in the United States. We learn about his immigration, recondite as it was, and are riveted by the involvement of the Italian criminal element in the story.
Anthony DeSantis has committed himself to interviewing his father about his adventures, and he has exceptionally strong writing skills that make the plot, danger, and romance important and fascinating. DeSantis deserves praise and kudos for his research and documentation. Of course he is emotionally connected to the story, but he also carefully describes the ship his father Guy travels on, the background history of Southern Italian immigrants who were distinctly believed to be less educated, poorer, not particularly worthy of being allowed into the United States, and where they eventually end up and what they do as US immigrants.
As a person who married years ago into a Southern Italian immigrant family from Potenza district, I am fully aware of the distinctions drawn between the people of Northern and Southern Italy. Having been fortunate enough to visit the South, I admire DeSantis' examination of the two areas and how different they are.
This book examines the immigrant story, the perils of a desire to leave Southern Italy to improve oneself, and what the challenges are when one leaves what one knows best and loves in spite of everything. I recommend this book as a well-written and well-considered 20th Century immigrant story. In the final trip returning to Italy with his aging father, Guy, Anthony DeSantis' father, we find out what happened to the woman Guy left behind which brings the story full circle. There is a lot to learn here.
Thanks to Girl Friday and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this excellent book.
Anthony DeSantis has committed himself to interviewing his father about his adventures, and he has exceptionally strong writing skills that make the plot, danger, and romance important and fascinating. DeSantis deserves praise and kudos for his research and documentation. Of course he is emotionally connected to the story, but he also carefully describes the ship his father Guy travels on, the background history of Southern Italian immigrants who were distinctly believed to be less educated, poorer, not particularly worthy of being allowed into the United States, and where they eventually end up and what they do as US immigrants.
As a person who married years ago into a Southern Italian immigrant family from Potenza district, I am fully aware of the distinctions drawn between the people of Northern and Southern Italy. Having been fortunate enough to visit the South, I admire DeSantis' examination of the two areas and how different they are.
This book examines the immigrant story, the perils of a desire to leave Southern Italy to improve oneself, and what the challenges are when one leaves what one knows best and loves in spite of everything. I recommend this book as a well-written and well-considered 20th Century immigrant story. In the final trip returning to Italy with his aging father, Guy, Anthony DeSantis' father, we find out what happened to the woman Guy left behind which brings the story full circle. There is a lot to learn here.
Thanks to Girl Friday and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this excellent book.
June 2, 2025
We have all heard the term stowaway but perhaps through time we have lost touch with its impact. Often when we say someone was a stowaway it is usually a precursor to a greater story. But are we leaving out the best part?
For Gaetano DeSantis, the protagonist in this fascinating tale, being a stowaway was definitely not the favorite part of his American journey, but it was something he never forgot until the day he died. The story resonated with his son so strongly that when he finally had the time after a lifetime of work, he wrote this version. The story suggests questions that concern place, moments in time, hopes, dreams and heart-wrenching decisions about loved ones left behind.
You’re an Italian laborer in France separated from home, a place you’re not ready to return to, a place where the future looks as bleak as the present. A stranger approaches and tells you that your cousin in America is calling for you and has arranged your passage to a better life. That stranger has all the details – your cousin’s American hometown, the business he runs, etc. – and an American passport in his hand. He says that the ship, the S.S. Paris, leaves tonight and you must be on it.
Do you go?
Guy DeSantis said yes and found himself living clandestinely, if comfortably, on the ship for a week before landing in New York. Well-fed and ready to meet his cousin at the end of the gangway, he suddenly is faced with the terrible realization that his cousin has no idea that he is in America. Worse yet, the stowaway is now in the hands of gangsters.
The story maneuvers along with Guy’s emotional path, swerving, soaring and crashing from minute to minute, from the approach of the stranger in France to its conclusion: confusion, fear, jubilation, hope, more fear, more hope. It’s ultimately a story of community’s triumph after taking a major risk and is bracketed by the tale of a romance interrupted by a half century for reasons beyond the control of either Guy or his youthful love interest. It also offers a glimpse inside the SS Paris, and into the dirty underbelly of the practice of transporting illegal immigrants to the United States in the late 1920s.
For Gaetano DeSantis, the protagonist in this fascinating tale, being a stowaway was definitely not the favorite part of his American journey, but it was something he never forgot until the day he died. The story resonated with his son so strongly that when he finally had the time after a lifetime of work, he wrote this version. The story suggests questions that concern place, moments in time, hopes, dreams and heart-wrenching decisions about loved ones left behind.
You’re an Italian laborer in France separated from home, a place you’re not ready to return to, a place where the future looks as bleak as the present. A stranger approaches and tells you that your cousin in America is calling for you and has arranged your passage to a better life. That stranger has all the details – your cousin’s American hometown, the business he runs, etc. – and an American passport in his hand. He says that the ship, the S.S. Paris, leaves tonight and you must be on it.
Do you go?
Guy DeSantis said yes and found himself living clandestinely, if comfortably, on the ship for a week before landing in New York. Well-fed and ready to meet his cousin at the end of the gangway, he suddenly is faced with the terrible realization that his cousin has no idea that he is in America. Worse yet, the stowaway is now in the hands of gangsters.
The story maneuvers along with Guy’s emotional path, swerving, soaring and crashing from minute to minute, from the approach of the stranger in France to its conclusion: confusion, fear, jubilation, hope, more fear, more hope. It’s ultimately a story of community’s triumph after taking a major risk and is bracketed by the tale of a romance interrupted by a half century for reasons beyond the control of either Guy or his youthful love interest. It also offers a glimpse inside the SS Paris, and into the dirty underbelly of the practice of transporting illegal immigrants to the United States in the late 1920s.
September 2, 2025
The Stowaway in First Class is gripping from start to finish. This section in particular shows just how dangerous and unpredictable the journey really was. The ship itself faced disasters groundings, fires, and near destruction, while Guy and Ernesto were quietly fighting their own battle to survive undetected.
What stood out to me was how vividly the author described the tension of those final moments: slipping past guards with borrowed identities, stepping onto American soil for the first time, and feeling both awe and fear at what lay ahead. You can sense the mix of hope, danger, and uncertainty in every line.
It’s not just a story about crossing an ocean, it’s about determination, courage, and the lengths people will go to for a new life.
What stood out to me was how vividly the author described the tension of those final moments: slipping past guards with borrowed identities, stepping onto American soil for the first time, and feeling both awe and fear at what lay ahead. You can sense the mix of hope, danger, and uncertainty in every line.
It’s not just a story about crossing an ocean, it’s about determination, courage, and the lengths people will go to for a new life.
August 25, 2025
I just finished this book and I really liked the mix of personal story and history. The author does a great job showing what life was like for Italian immigrants and the challenges they faced. Reading about Guy’s journey from Italy to France and then to America as a stowaway was fascinating.
The scenes on the flight to Paris, the memories of Lindbergh’s famous landing, and the descriptions of everyday immigrant life made the book feel alive and real. I could picture the streets, the family dinners, and even the hard construction work that so many men of that generation had to do.
It is not just a family story, it is also a piece of history that reminded me of how much sacrifice went into starting a new life in America. I closed the book feeling like I had learned something and also shared in a moving personal journey.
The scenes on the flight to Paris, the memories of Lindbergh’s famous landing, and the descriptions of everyday immigrant life made the book feel alive and real. I could picture the streets, the family dinners, and even the hard construction work that so many men of that generation had to do.
It is not just a family story, it is also a piece of history that reminded me of how much sacrifice went into starting a new life in America. I closed the book feeling like I had learned something and also shared in a moving personal journey.
August 28, 2025
I was completely drawn into Guy and Ernesto’s journey. The tension and excitement of sneaking onto the ship had me on the edge of my seat. I could picture everything: the train ride through the French countryside, the busy port, and the dark, quiet night as they approached the ship.
The moment they had to climb the anchor chain was nerve-wracking! I felt like I was right there with them, holding my breath. The author really captures the fear, determination, and small details that make the story so vivid.
This is an incredible true story of courage and taking risks for a better life. It reads like an adventure novel but is completely real. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
The moment they had to climb the anchor chain was nerve-wracking! I felt like I was right there with them, holding my breath. The author really captures the fear, determination, and small details that make the story so vivid.
This is an incredible true story of courage and taking risks for a better life. It reads like an adventure novel but is completely real. I can’t wait to see what happens next.
September 2, 2025
This section of The Stowaway in First Class was gripping and unsettling at the same time. The tension built so naturally from the quiet lunch with Carmella, to the shocking demand for ransom, and finally the desperate efforts of Frank to raise $600 to save his cousin.
What stood out most to me was the human detail: the comforting smell of Italian food, the fear of being watched by armed men, and the weight of family ties that pushed Frank into action despite the impossible odds. It really pulled me into the 1920s world of immigrants, sacrifice, and survival.
A powerful reminder that true stories can be just as suspenseful as any crime novel.
What stood out most to me was the human detail: the comforting smell of Italian food, the fear of being watched by armed men, and the weight of family ties that pushed Frank into action despite the impossible odds. It really pulled me into the 1920s world of immigrants, sacrifice, and survival.
A powerful reminder that true stories can be just as suspenseful as any crime novel.
August 25, 2025
I just finished reading this book and I really enjoyed it from start to finish. What I liked most was how personal and real the story felt. The way the author shared the father’s journey, his memories, and the reunion after so many years kept me hooked all the way through.
The mix of history, family, and love gave the book a lot of depth, and I found myself thinking about my own family as I read. It is emotional, heartfelt, and at the same time very easy to follow.
This is one of those books that stays with you after you close the last page. I am glad I picked it up.
The mix of history, family, and love gave the book a lot of depth, and I found myself thinking about my own family as I read. It is emotional, heartfelt, and at the same time very easy to follow.
This is one of those books that stays with you after you close the last page. I am glad I picked it up.
March 26, 2025
A true story that a son writes about the story of his father and how he came to America. I am sure many others have come here like this. Here he is a stowaway and arrives in 1929, he takes you through the different parts of his father's life, and where he goes back to meet up with the person he left behind when he could not tell anyone he was leaving France. A very good book.
September 2, 2025
This book hit me hard because it reminded me of my own grandparents’ stories of coming to a new country and facing hardship. The scene where Guy finally sees his cousin again after eight years felt so real. It made me think about what family sacrifices really mean. A very human and emotional story.
March 9, 2025
Gaetano "Guy" DeSantis (February 21, 1902 - August 9, 1991) came from Arce, Italy. He grew up in a large family and helped them farm etc. The place he was born and raised in was known as mezzogiorno, or the land that time forgot, and where life revolved around l'ordine della famiglia (the rules of family behaviour and responsibility).
Guy served in the Italian Army post WWI. But he wanted better opportunities, so he came to France, working construction until a chance encounter with a man demanding he leave for America at once, altered the course of his life in 1929.
Until then, Guy was living a happy life in France. He had decent employment and living conditions and was going steady with a lady named Marie. Now, he was being forced to leave it all behind for the unknown. Together with his friend Ernesto, the two became stowaways aboard the SS Paris. It was a stressful journey as the two had to avoid being caught. Otherwise, they could face jail time and deportation.
Italian immigrants to the US, suffered from exploitation by their own kind, the Mano Nera or Black Hand extortion racket.Black Hand was practiced by Italian immigrant gangsters, targeting Italian-American ghettos or neighbourhoods.Typical Black Hand tactics involved sending a letter to a victim threatening bodily harm, kidnapping, arson, or murder. The letter demanded a specified amount of money to be delivered to a specific place. It was decorated with threatening symbols and was frequently signed with a hand, "held up in the universal gesture of warning", imprinted or drawn in thick black ink.
Guy hoped his cousin Francisco/Frank, a baker, would be there to meet him in the US,but Frank had no idea Guy was coming at all. It was extortion. Guy's captors demanded $600 for his release. Frank relied on his community village ties to raise the necessary funds to secure Guy's release. Eventually, Guy was free, and the cousins reunited.
Guy eventually repaid his debt. He settled and became a US citizen in 1944. Guy married Dena in 1939, and had two children: author and pilot Anthony, and Patty. Guy achieved the American Dream.He was brave, hardworking, and adventurous.
Guy served in the Italian Army post WWI. But he wanted better opportunities, so he came to France, working construction until a chance encounter with a man demanding he leave for America at once, altered the course of his life in 1929.
Until then, Guy was living a happy life in France. He had decent employment and living conditions and was going steady with a lady named Marie. Now, he was being forced to leave it all behind for the unknown. Together with his friend Ernesto, the two became stowaways aboard the SS Paris. It was a stressful journey as the two had to avoid being caught. Otherwise, they could face jail time and deportation.
Italian immigrants to the US, suffered from exploitation by their own kind, the Mano Nera or Black Hand extortion racket.Black Hand was practiced by Italian immigrant gangsters, targeting Italian-American ghettos or neighbourhoods.Typical Black Hand tactics involved sending a letter to a victim threatening bodily harm, kidnapping, arson, or murder. The letter demanded a specified amount of money to be delivered to a specific place. It was decorated with threatening symbols and was frequently signed with a hand, "held up in the universal gesture of warning", imprinted or drawn in thick black ink.
Guy hoped his cousin Francisco/Frank, a baker, would be there to meet him in the US,but Frank had no idea Guy was coming at all. It was extortion. Guy's captors demanded $600 for his release. Frank relied on his community village ties to raise the necessary funds to secure Guy's release. Eventually, Guy was free, and the cousins reunited.
Guy eventually repaid his debt. He settled and became a US citizen in 1944. Guy married Dena in 1939, and had two children: author and pilot Anthony, and Patty. Guy achieved the American Dream.He was brave, hardworking, and adventurous.
February 27, 2025
This book is an historical novel detailing an adventurous young man’s journey to America in the early twentieth century. It is written by his son in a very loving manner and is an exciting and inspiring story. It is especially relevant in today’s world with illegal immigration a hot political topic. I thank NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this heartwarming book prior to publication
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews